Card table



April 25, 1933- v R. NEUSCHOTZ ET AL 1,906,213

CARD TABLE Original Filed March 29, 1930 32 [72 U 6 72 2 0/19flfaj/zczrzz'eZ 656M720" R0567"? fVzzsch 0Z2 Patented Apr. 2 5,

UNITED STA E PATENT orrice ROBERT NEUSCHOTZ AND NATHANIEL o. RATNER, orNEW YORK, N. Y. M

CARD TABLE Application filed March 29, 1930; Serial No. 439,912. RenewedJuly 30, 1932;

The present invention relates, broadly stated, to tables, and isparticularly concerned with a novel and improved cardtable, having aplurality of receptacles concealed 5 below its top plate, forholdingcards and other game implements, together with simple andefficient provisions for gaining access to the receptacles toexposetheir contents- V The ordinary card table consists usually of a suitablycovered top plate disposed on stationary or folding legs. It representsmerely one necessary implement required for playing a game of cards. Thecards,

1 score blanks, pencils, etc., must be kept separately. This necessityof separating certain game implements from the card tab-1e renders anawkward arrangement and induces chances for misplacing these implements.

It isfurthermore desirable to have the top of a card table unobstructedby such or by other implements not used in the-game, while playing. Inthe absence of a convenient receptacle integral with the table oftheusual construction, an additional table is frequently used by playersfor holding certain implements, or the top of the card table is used fordisposing ofv these'implements, obstructing the top plate and irritatingthe players. a

Various inventions have been disclosed in the past for overcoming theseinconveniences inherent in ordinary card tables. For example, there isacard table described in the patent to Vornbrock, No. 463,654, ofNovember 24, 1891, having drawers which can be pulled outfromi varioussides of the table to accommodatethe players who may want'to disposeofimplements While play 49 ing and for receiving these implements when thetable is not in use. 'Anot-her'invention described in the patentto-Faulkner, No. 919,708, of April 27, 1909, proposes a table havingcircularly arranged receptacles,

particularly for the game of poker, and having provisions foradjustingthe tabletop according to the number of players.

These and other constructions present various objections and the mostimportant ob- 50 jections whichcan be voiced against them.

are concerned with the cost of such a table, which is relativelyhigh onaccount of the more or less complicated arrangement, with out renderinga table entirely satisfactory in use. p I 5 The principal aim of ourinvention resides in producing a novel card table which is characterizedby rugged, simple and efficient structure, provided with concealedreceptacles, collectively arranged, conveniently located and instantlyaccessible, for receiving implements for a card game, such as cards,chips, score blanks,pencils and the like, and which, at the same time,is easilymanufactured and can be produced economically within the pricelimits demanded for such tables. p

The various objects relating to structural and functional details may bebriefly stated as follows;

One object is concerned with the provi sion of a sectional table tophaving a stationary principal section and a movable auxiliary sectionarranged within the pe ripheral margin of thetable top. Another objectrelates to the provision of a principalreceptacle, or pan, below'themovable auxiliary section of the table top for receiving certain gameimplements. .Still another object has to do with the provision ofrecesses and the provision of an auxiliary receptacle within theprincipal receptacle which can be removed therefrom. A further objectresides in the provision of spring hinges for attaching the movableauxiliary section of the table top to the stationary principal sectionthereof, and to the provision of a spring lock for holding the movableauxiliary section in place against the force of the spring hinges. Stillanother object has to do with the provision of a spring controlled pushbutton arrangement for releasing the spring lock to gain access to thereceptacles concealed below the movableauxiliary section.

Another object is concerned with the provision of a suitable cover ofcloth or fabric for covering. the surfaceof both top secsmooth anduniform appearance of the top surface.

A further object relates to shaping the legs for the table in such amanner as to provide for stabilizing and strengthening the entirestructure.

The table top of our invention may be provided on folding legs or onstationary legs, as desired. The structural and functional details maybe changed and proportioned in a'vai'iety'of ways to suit the individual requirements, without departing from the spirit of our invention.The essence of the invention, it will. be understood, resides in theprovision of concealed, instantaneously accessible receptacles, in aneconomical, unitary card table which answers the purposes of therequirements of a card game fully and efiiciently and which overcomesthe deficiencies of known structures.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying single sheet of drawingwhich shows various views of one embodiment of the invention, and viewsof details to guide others in applying the invention to practical use.In the drawing:

Figure 1 represents the card table of our invention in perspective view,with the movable auxiliary top section open, exposing the concealedreceptacles;

Figure 2 shows the principal receptacle proper, which is made of sheetmetal, punched and suitably formed;

Figure 3 illustrates a cross-section of the principal receptacle takenon line 3-3 in Figure 2;

Figure 4 shows a cross-section, illustrating the spring lock, as takenon line 44 in Figure 1;

Figure 5 represents a crosssection of the table top as taken on line 55in' Figure 1, and

Figure 6 shows the upper part of a leg used with the table.

Referring now particularly to Figure 1, the table comprises a marginalperipheral frame, with the upper edges rounded, and designated bynumeral 1. The cross-section of this marginal frame can be seen best inFigures 4 and 5, which will be explained presently. Disposed within thisframe 1 is a stationary principal top plate 2. Hinged to this plate is amovable auxiliary top plate 3. The hinges are indicated by referencenumerals 4, 5 and (3. One or more of these hinges may be provided with acoiled spring tending to open the auxiliary section 3, as illustrated.The hinges are shown attached to the edges of top sections 2 and 3, butit will be understood that they may be as well attached to the surfaceof the section and buried in grooves to prevent projections onthe'surface of the table top and disposed so that a smooth top surfacemay be accomplished.

The table is supported by legs, such as 7, 8, 9, which may either bestationary or folding legs, and, in case of a table having folding legs,provided with movable braces,

as shown and indicated by numerals 10 to 14, inclusive.

The top surface of the table is covered with a suitable cloth or fabric15, which is common to both sections and presents a smooth playingsurface.

Numeral 16 indicates the top plane of the principal receptacle, providedwith a recessed portion 17 This recessed portion has two partitions, 18and 19, integral with the receptacle, to provide three separatereceptacles for the reception of certain game implements. It is, ofcourse, understood that the number of partitions and receptacles asshown is arbitrary. Any suitable number may be provided withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention. A hole is punched in theplane surface and an auxiliary receptacle 20, which may be an ash tray,is shown located in this hole. Two grooves 21 and 22 are disposed in thetop plane of the receptacle for holding pencils, etc.

A latch member 23 is fastened to the inner surface of the movable topsection, as shown. When this section is closed on the receptacles toconceal the same, the latch 28 will project through the hole 24 providedin the plane of the principle receptacle and will engage a spring lockwhich is particularly shown in Figure 4.

A push button 25 is provided in the lateral front face of the frame,movable within a bushing 26, to operate the spring lock to release themovable section when access to the receptacles is desired. The principalreceptacle is fastened to the inner margin of the frame by means ofscrews or nails, such as 27.

The principal receptacle is illustrated in Figures 2 and 8. The openingfor the ash tray or auxiliary receptacle 20 is indicated in thesefigures by reference numeral 28, and the peripherally arranged holes 29may be provided for fastening the receptacle to the margin of the frameon three sides, as explained, while one side may be fastened to thestationary section.

Other details of the receptacle have been explained in connection withthe description of Figure l and will bereadily understood withoutadditional discussion.

The structure and the operation of the spring lock and of the pushbutton is particularly illustrated in Figure 4. It will be seen fromthis figure, which shows the movable auxiliary top section in closedrelation to the stationary section, that the plane 16 of the receptacleis fastened to the inner margin of the frame 1. The movable section 3,covering the receptacle, is provided with a suitable surface cover cloth15. The

. holding :the movable auxiliary top section closed above thereceptacle, so thatthe surface of-the table is smooth and uniform Whenit is desired to'gain access to the re ceptacle, the push button isdepressed, moving, in turn, the spring member 31 and releasing the latch23, so that the section 3 can move, following the force of the springhinges as explained previously.

Figure 5 will be readily understood from remarks made above. Itshowsmerely how the top 2 of the table, which is provided with asuitable cover cloth 15, is resting and suitably attached to the innermargin of the frame 1 of the table.

t will be understood, of course, that instead of having an offset innermargin on the frame as shown, theframe may be provided with aseparate'member attached to the frame interiorly, orv the sections ofthe table top may be suitably peripherally recessed to be suitablyattached to the frame, if desired.

Figure 6 illustrates the preferred shape of the upper part of a leg asused in connection with the table. It will be seen that the upperportion 36 of the leg is wider than the leg portion proper, to providefor stabilizing and strengthening the entire table structure when theleg is attached to the table; Numeral 37 designates a hole for receivinga mounting pin when the leg is attached, so as to fold parallel to thetable top. The upper brace portion may be integral with the leg, or, ifdesired, a separate brace block may be attached to the upper portion ofthe leg.

Our invention may be modified in various ways within the scope of thedisclosure without introducing novel matter. We therefore do not desireto be limited in the application of the invention to the precisestructure 1 which we have shown and explained, but

intend to apply the invention in practice within the limits defined inthe following claims, in which we have expressed what we believe is newover the art as known; 2 We claim: i 1. A card table, having asubstantially square supporting frame, a marginal shoulder extendinginternally near the top edge of said frame, a principal top platepermanently disposed on said shoulder within the confines of saidframe,a receptacle permanently disposed on said shoulder within the confinesof said frame and depending there from adjacent said principal topplate, an

'" auxiliary top plate for covering said recep tacle, spring operatedmeans for movably securing said auxiliary top plate to said principaltop plate and adjacent thereto, the surfaceof said plates forming aplane horizontal topwithin said frame, a latch secured to said auxiliarytop plate and perpendicularly depending therefrom adjacent to' andparallel with the adjacent side of'said frame, a leaf spring mounted onsaid side of said frame internally thereof forengaging said latch tohold said auxiliary plate on said receptacle against the force of saidspring operated means,'said latch adapted to extend through saidreceptacle for engagement with said leaf spring, a rod secured to saidleaf spring and extending transversely through said frame to the outsidethereof, and abutton secured to said rod for manually releasing saidleafspring to release said latch for exposing said receptacle by movingsaidauxiliary top plate by the force of said spring operated means inresponse to releasing said latch.

2. A card table, having a sectional top plate comprising a stationaryhorizontally disposed plate section and a strip section movable attachedto said stationary'plate section adjacent thereto and across the entirewidth thereof, a common cover for said sections attached to the surfacethereof, spring operated means for moving said movable section out ofthe plane'of said stationary section, locking means for securing saidmovable'section inthe horizontal plane of said stationarysection againstthe force of said spring operated means, a stamped metal principalreceptacle disposed permanently below said movablesection, a pluralityof partitions in saidprincipal receptacle, an auxiliary receptacledisposed within said principal receptacle, asubstantially square-framefor peripherally enclosing said sectional top plate and said receptaclecircumferentially thereof and perpendicularly I thereto, said framehaving an internal shoulder for directly supporting said plate sectionand said receptacle, said strip section being disposed on saidreceptacle in closed position, and means extending through said framefor releasing said locking means to move said movable section to exposesaid receptacles. 3. A card table of the class described, havingasubstantially square supporting frame, an internal shoulder on saidframe, va sectional top plate disposed on said shoulthe surface of bothof said sections, spring hinge'meansiat the joint between saidstationary top section and said stripsection for moving said movablestrlp section out of the plane of said stationary section, a bracketsecured to said strip section and perpendicularly depending therefrom inparallel with and adjacent to the frame to constitute a latch forsecuring said movable section in the horizontal plane of said stationarysection against the force of said spring operated means, a stampedprincipal metal receptacle for receiving game implements disposedpermanently below said movable section on said shoulder of said frame,

an auxiliary receptacle disposed removably in said principal receptacle,a leaf spring disposed on said frame for engaging said latch and forlocking said strip section, said latch extending through said principalreceptacle for engagement with said leaf spring, and means secured tosaid leaf spring and extending through said frame to the outside formoving said leaf spring to release said latch to move said movable stripsection responsive to the force of said spring operated means forexposing said receptacles, and supporting legs for said table adapted tobe folded parallel to the plane of said sectional top plate.

4. A card table of the class described, having a substantially squaresupporting frame, a sectional top plate positioned within said frame andcomprising a stationary horizontally disposed principal sect-ion and amovable strip section attached movably to said stationary sectionadjacent thereto and across the entire width thereof within said frame,spring operated hinge means at the joint of said strip section and saidstationary principal section for moving said movable strip sect-ion outof the plane of said stationary section, movable locking means securedto the inside of said frame below said movable strip section forsecuring said movable strip section in the plane of said stationarysection within said frame against the force of said spring operatedhinge means, a stamped sheet metal base disposed below said stripsection within said frame, stationary receptacle means integral withsaid base, removable receptacle means supported by said base, andoperating means projecting through said frame for releasing said lockingmeans to move said movable section by the force of said spring operatedmeans for exposing said receptacles.

5. In combination, in a table of the class described, a frame comprisingbars joined end to end and defining a substantially square opening,a'shoulder on each of said bars registering with the correspondingshoulders of adjoining bars and forming a continuous internal shoulderin said frame opening, a substantially rectangular top plate disposedwithin and partially filling said opening, said top plate beingpositioned with three sides on said continuous shoulder, a shoulder onthe free side of said top plate forming a continuous rectangularlyextend ing internal shoulder with the shoulder of the remaining frameopening, an elongated auxiliary plate disposed on said shoulder in saidremaining frame opening, means for movably hinging said auxiliary plateto said top plate, means on said frame for locking said auxiliary platein position forming a continuous surface plate with said top plate, andmeans projecting thru one of said frame bars for releasing saidauxiliary plate to gain access to said opening normally covered thereby.

6. In combination, in a table of the class described, a frame comprisingbars joined end to end and defining a substantially square opening, ashoulder on each of said bars registering with the correspondingshoulders of adjoining bars and forming a continuous internal shoulderin said frame opening, a substantially rectangular top plate disposedwithin and partially filling said opening, said top plate beingpositioned with three sides on said continuous shoulder, a shoulder onthe free side of said top plate forming a continuous rectangularlyextending internal shoulder with the shoulder of the remaining frameopening, a stamped sheet metal container disposed on said shoulder insaid remaining frame opening extending across the entire width of saidframe at one side thereof and parallel to the frame bar defining saidside, receptacle means removably disposed in said container, anelongated auxiliary plate positioned on said container and furnishing acover therefor, means for movably hinging one side of said auxiliaryplate to said top plate, means internally disposed on one of said framebars for locking said auxiliary plate in position covering saidcontainer and forming with said top plate a continuous surface, andmeans connected with said locking means and projecting thru said framebar to the outside for releasing said auxiliary plate to gain access tosaid container normally covered thereby.

7. In combination, in a table of the class described, a frame comprisingbars joined end to end and defining a substantially square opening, ashoulder on each of said bars registering vith the correspondingshoulders of adjoining bars and forming a continuous internal shoulderin said frame opening, a substantially rectangular top plate disposedwithin and partially filling said opening, said top plate beingpositioned with three sides on said continuous shoulder, a shoulder onthe free side of said top plate forming a continuous rectangularlyextending internal shoulder with the shoulder of the remaining frameopening, a stamped sheet metal container disposed on said shoulder insaid remaining frame opening extending across the entire width of saidframe at one side thereof and parallel to the frame bar defining saidside, receptacle means removably disposed in said container, anelongated auxiliary plate positioned on said container and furnishing acover therefor, means for movably hinging one side of said auxilaryplate to said top plate, means internally disposed on one of said framebars for looking said auxiliary plate in position covering saidcontainer and forming with said top plate a continuous surface,-meansconnected with said locking means and projecting thru said frame bar tothe outside for releasing said auxiliary plate to gain access to saidcontainer normally covered thereby, and a common fabric cover secured tothe surface of said top plate and said auxiliary plate and extendingover the edges thereof between said plates and said bars defining saidframe.

8. In a table of the class described, having a stationary top sectionand a movable auxiliary top section adjacent said stationary section andforming a continuous surface therewith, a lateral frame for saidsections comprising members joined end to end and extendingperpendicularly to and peripherally around said sections, saidstationary sec tion being rigidly joined with said frame and saidauxiliary section being hingedly secured to one side of said stationarysection, and locking means for securing said auxiliary section in theplane of said stationary section within said frame, said locking meanscomprising a rigid angular bracket rigidly attached to said auxiliarysection and depending therefrom adjacent the edge thereof, a leaf springsecured internally to the frame member adjacent said auxiliary sectionfor engaging said rigid bracket, and an operating member secured rigidlyto said leaf spring and projecting thru said frame member to the'outsidefor moving said leaf spring to release saidrigid bracket. In witnesswhereof, we hereunto subscribe our names this 14: day of March, 1930.

ROBERT NEUSCHOTZ.

NATHANIEL C. RATNER.

